Pilferproof closure with vertical weakening lines

ABSTRACT

The subject matter relates to a pilferproof closure for a container in which the closure is threadedly engaged with the thread of the neck of the container and is of the type which includes a locking band at its lower end having its lower edge turned under a shoulder on the container neck, with the locking band being separated from the main body of the closure by a circumferential line of lancing and spaced bridges, with the bridges being the sole means of attachment of the band to the main body of the closure. The locking band is provided with several circumferentially spaced vertical weakening lines, preferably four equally spaced, which rupture on unscrewing of the closure to produce outwardly flared sectors in said locking band, whereby the entire closure, including the locking band, is completely removable from the container neck. The bridges do not fracture for the most part, but instead function to provide bend lines for the outwardly flared sectors.

atent [72] inventor Howard R. Kim

A Park, Pu. 211 App]. No. 795,636 [22] Filed Jan. 31, 11969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [73] Assignee um Cy i 54 mmnmoor c I 1 4 wire TIICAL WEANING L 12 4 [52] US. Cl. 215/7, 215/42 511 int. Cl. "865415111 23, A6li 1/00, B65d 55/02 [50] i 1 215/42, 46, 7; 220127. 54

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,464,576 9/1969 Rohde 215/42 3,465,907 9/1969 Dom etal 215/42 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney-Hutchinson & Milans TRACT: The subject matter relates to a pilferproof closure for a container in which the closure is threadedly engaged with the thread of the neck of the container and is of the type which includes a locking band at its lower end having its lower edge turned under, a shoulder on the container neck, with the locking band being separated from the main body of the closure by a circumferential line of lancing and spaced bridges, with the bridges being the sole means of attachment of the band to the main body of the closure. The locking band is provided with several circumferentially spaced vertical weakening lines, preferably four equally spaced, which rupture on unscrewing of the closure to produce outwardly flared sectors in said locking band, whereby the entire closure, including the locking band, is completely removable from the container neck. The bridges do not fracture for the most part, but instead function to provide bend lines for the outwardly flared sectors.

PATENTEI] M1824 m 3.601- 273 INVENTOR.

HOWARD R. KUTCHER WK; wad

ATTORNEYS PILFERPROOF CLOSURE 'WITI'I VERTICAL WEAKENING LINES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in pilferproof closures for containers having an externally threaded neck and in particular to closures of the general type shown in Osborne and Stassin U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,955 issued Feb. 14, 1967.

The closure shown in that patent is applied to an externally threaded neck of a container preferably by a rolling process. The cap blank is drawn from a sheet of thin ductile metal, preferably a sheet 0.008 to 0.0095 inch in thickness of a deformable aluminum base alloy having been given an extra hard temper. As formed, the closure is provided with a top panel and a depending cylindrical skirt. The depending skirt is formed of an upper main body portion and a lower locking band portion, the two portions being divided by a peripheral interrupted slit line, namely lances with intervening bridges, so that the locking band is connected to the main portion of the skirt by merely the spaced bridges.

The closure cap of the patent is preferably applied to the neck of the container by application of a pressure block to the top portion of the closure and at the same time a'thread roller deforms the upper portion of the closure into conformity to the threads of the container neck. The lower edge portion of the locking band is turned under a rib or shoulder on the container neck by means of a roller, preferably acting simultaneously with the thread rolling operation. This band when so applied acts to retain the liner compression and sealing efficiency of the closure.

In the priorart closures of this type, turning of the closure to disengage the threads results in fracturing of the bridges connecting the locking band to the main body of the closure, leaving the band still engaged with the shoulder of the bottle finish to visually indicate that the container has been opened.

Closures of this type have enjoyed commercial success in the art particularly when used with the throwaway" or no return" type of containers. However, whenever the closures are employed with returnable and refillable containers or bottles, this locking band has been a source of annoyance and inconvenience, in that the bands must be first removed from the containers before the containers can be reused. The removal of the bands by clippers, knives, or the like tools, has been a costly and tedious operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a closure of the pilferproof type, which will possess all the advantages and attributes of closures of the type generally illustrated by the Osborne and Stassin U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,955, but will not possess the aforementioned disadvantages, i.e., of leaving the locking band on the bottle neck when the closure is removed.

It is a further object to provide a closure of the pilferproof type which will be completely removable from the container neck including the locking band and which may be reapplied to the bottle for effective reclosure purposes.

A more specific object is to provide a closure of the pilferproof type provided with circumferential lancing, spaced bridges and a locking band, which band is provided with several spaced vertical weakening lines so that upon rotation of the closure for removal thereof, the weakening lines in the locking band will rupture thereby dividing the locking band into sectors which will be cammed into outwardly flaring sectors bending on the line of the bridges.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pilferprooftype closure wherein the bridges connecting the locking band to the closure, for the most part do not fracture during removal of the closure from the container, but instead function to provide hinge means or the bending means for the sectors of the locking means, as said sectors are flared outwardly by the camming action of the locking shoulder on the bottle neck finish during removal of the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned features and objects as well as other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the preferred form of closure made in accordance with the invention and shown prior to application we container, with the weakening lines in the locking band shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat reduced in size fragmentary elevational view of the closure applied to a container with a portion broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a closure cap after it has been removed from the container'and showing the flared sectors of the locking band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT While the present invention is designed for use in a pilferproof closure of the same general type as that shown in the above-mentioned patent, which embodies a shell formed of thin ductile metal having a top and a skirt, the latter being divided into an upper thread bearing part and a lower locking band part by a peripheral line of lancing and bridges, the actual functioning of the closure is materially different. As heretofore pointed out, when the prior art devices are opened by turning or twisting of the closure to disengage the threads all of the bridges will fracture and the upper part of the closure can be removed from the container neck, with the now separated lower locking band being left anchored to the locking rib or shoulder of the container finish.

In the present invention the locking band of the closure shell is provided with several spaced vertically disposed weakening lines, which rupture or spread on unscrewing of the closure shell to form sectors in the locking band, which sectors will be flared outwardly by the camming action of the locking rib or shoulder of the container finish as the closure is being removed. The bridges, for the most part, do not fracture but instead function to provide hinge means or a bend line for the sectors. Such hinging or camming of the sectors in the present invention require less removal torque than did the fracture of all of the bridges as in pilferproof closure of the prior art. The flared locking band sectors will remain attached to the closure and need not be removed from the closure. The flared sectors will not interfere with effective reclosure of the container if the closure is reapplied to the container to seal the unused contents thereof. However, the distorted flared sectors will clearly indicate that the container has been opened and cannot be restored into their original positions.

The vertical weakening lines may be scores, slits, or coined areas that will rupture when the sectors therebetween are cammed outwardly by the locking shoulder of the bottle finish as the locking band moves upwardly during removal of the closure and could be formed before the closure is formed, as well as during the forming operation of the closure. These weakening lines may be formed either internally or externally of the locking band.

Several of these vertical weakening lines are formed in the locking band, preferably equally spaced about the periphery of the band. While there may be as many as eight to twelve such weakening lines, it has been found that four or five such lines, equally spaced about the periphery of the locking band, will function most effectively, as hereinafter explained in the preferred embodiment.

The lancing and bridges may be formed by a rotary lancing tool after the closure has been formed. While any number of slits and bridges may be formed in the closure, in the preferred embodiment 16 lances are employed with the bridges between the lances preferably alternately arranged with every other one being slightly wider to insure retention of the sectors on the closure. While the bridges for the most part do not fracture, it is possible that on opening of the closure an occasional bridge or bridges may be fractured, depending upon the number of lances and bridges employed, and the disposition and number of vertical weakening lines employed in the locking band. However, if any bridges should fracture these will occur at widely spaced positions on the closure and will not interfere with the intended functioning of the device as mentioned above. Additionally the use of some bridges wider or thicker than others will insure that the flared segments of the locking band will be adequately supported by the main body of the closure during removal thereof.

Additionally it should be pointed out that the vertical weakening lines do not have to be oriented with respect to the bridges which simplifies the forming operation of said closure blank.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, the closure cap 9 is drawn from a sheet of thin ductile metal, such as a deformable aluminum base alloy of the same general characteristics and thickness as that disclosed in the Osborne and Stassin patent. In other words, a sheet 0.008 to 0.0095 inch in thickness and of an extra hard temper is employed.

The drawing operation provides a top panel 10 and a depending cylindrical skirt 11, the latter preferably being provided with suitable lines of knurling at 12 and 13 to facilitate application of turning torque to the closure during the removal of the closure from the container. The lower portion of the skirt is provided with a peripheral interrupted slit line, namely a line of lances 14 and intervening bridges 15 and 16, to form a locking band 17, connected to the main body of the skirt solely through the bridges.

The locking band 17 is provided with four vertically disposed weakening lines 18 which are preferably equally spaced around the locking band 17 and formed on the internal surface of the band. As shown in FIG. 2 these weakening lines in the band are preferably scores, but may be slits, coined areas or other weakening lines formed in the band.

The scores 18 may be formed in the blank before the closure is formed, or during the forming operation of the closure. The lines may be either internal, as shown, or external, as desired, but as stated in the preferred embodiment the weakening lines are in the internal surface of the band and are produced during forming of the closure by means of indentures on the forming punch which are impressed onto the osure as the female die is moved over the punch.

For example in a closure formed from a sheet of 0.009 inch thick of deformable aluminum base alloy of the character described in the Osborne and Stassin patent, the scores are preferably formed to have a uniform residual about 0.004 inch in thickness.

As shown in this embodiment sixteen lances 14 are provided with sixteen intervening bridges. Eight of these bridges 15 are narrow bridges of approximately 0.020 inch width while the other eight bridges 16 are wider, being approximately 0.050 inch in width. The narrow and wide bridges are preferably alternated as shown.

The container neck 20 is provided with a closure receiving finish of the same type as that described in the Osborne and Stassin patent, including a top sealing surface 21, a side sealing surface 22, screw threads 23 and a locking shoulder 24.

The closure blank 9 is provided with a liner 19, preferably of an odorless and tasteless elastomeric material, such as polyvinyl chloride. The closure 9 is applied to the container in a manner generally taught by the Osborne and Stassin patent, with the use of a pressure block for applying top pressure for sealing the top and side sealing surfaces. At the same time a thread roller deforms the skirt 11 into conformity with the threads 23 of the container neck 20. Additionally, and at the same time. a roller bears against the lower portion of the locking band 17 to turn this edge 25 under the locking shoulder 24 to securely retain the closure in applied sealed position.

When it is desired to open the container the closure is manually turned to disengage the threads, resulting in the locking rib or shoulder 24 applying a camming action on the locking band which will rupture at the weakening lines or scores 18. On rupture of the scores 18 the locking band 17 will be divided into four segments (four scores having been used in this embodiment) and these four segments or sectors will by this camming action be outwardly flared, bending along the line of the bridges. This is clearly shown in FIG. 4.

While the weakening or score lines 18 may extend vertically all the way across the locking band 17, it is found that this is not necessary. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the lines of weakening may terminate short of the lances and still function as intended.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to specific embodiments of structure, it will be understood, nevertheless, that numerous modifications and variations are susceptible of being incorporated without departure from the essential spirit or scope thereof. Included in such modifications could be means alternative to threads on the container and closure, such as cam surfaces, angled lugs, or the like, which upon rotation of the closure would impart vertical translation of the closure on the container to remove the closure therefrom. Accordingly, it is not intended for an understanding of this invention to be limited by the foregoing description nor by the illustrations in the annexed drawings, except as indicated in the hereinafter appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A pilferproof closure for containers having a threaded neck and a locking shoulder, said closure being of the type having a shell formed of thin ductile metal providing a top and a depending skirt, said skirt being formed of an upper threadbearing part, for engagement with the threads of the container, and a lower locking band part, said parts being separated from each other by a peripheral line of interrupted slits forming lances and bridges, with said locking band adapted to be turned under the shoulder on the container for locking therewith, said band having several spaced vertical lines of weakening formed therein which rupture or spread on removal of said closure to divide the locking band into segments between the ruptured vertical lines, which segments bend on the line of the bridges and are flared outwardly by the camming action of the locking shoulder of the container on removal ofthe entire closure.

2. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein said several spaced vertical lines of weakening are equally spaced about the locking band.

3. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein at least four vertical lines of weakening are formed in said locking band and are substantially equally spaced circumferentially about said band to provide at least four outwardly flared segments in said band on removal of said closure.

4. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein some of said bridges are wider than others to insure that the locking band does not separate from the closure skirt during removal of the closure.

5. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein said bridges are formed of alternating narrow and wide bridges to insure that the locking band does not completely separate from the closure skirt during removal ofthe closure.

6. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim l, wherein the shell is formed from a sheet of an aluminum base alloy in an extra hard temper having a metal thickness between 0.008 and 0.0095 inch and wherein said vertical weakening lines in said locking band have a residual thickness of approximately 0.004 inch.

7 A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 6, wherein said bridges include some bridges wider than others to insure that the locking band does not become detached from the skirt on removal ofthe closure.

least four vertical lines of weakening are formed in said locking band, said lines being equally spaced around said band.

12 A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 11, in which said vertical lines of weakening comprise scores formed on the internal surface of the band.

Dedication 3,60l,273.-H0ward R. Kutcher, Allison Park, Pa. PILFERPROOF CLOSURE WITH VERTICAL WEAKENING LINES. Patent dated Aug. 24, 1971. Dedication filed Aug. 30, 1982, by the assignee, Aluminum C0. of America.

Hereby dedicates said patent to the Public.

[Official Gazette December 28, 1982.] 

1. A pilferproof closure for containers having a threaded neck and a locking shoulder, said closure being of the type having a shell formed of thin ductile metal providing a top and a depending skirt, said skirt being formed of an upper threadbearing part, for engagement with the threads of the container, and a lower locking band part, said parts being separated from each other by a peripheral line of interrupted slits forming lances and bridges, with said locking band adapted to be turned under the shoulder on the container for locking therewith, said band having several spaced vertical lines of weakening formed therein which rupture or spread on removal of said closure To divide the locking band into segments between the ruptured vertical lines, which segments bend on the line of the bridges and are flared outwardly by the camming action of the locking shoulder of the container on removal of the entire closure.
 2. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein said several spaced vertical lines of weakening are equally spaced about the locking band.
 3. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein at least four vertical lines of weakening are formed in said locking band and are substantially equally spaced circumferentially about said band to provide at least four outwardly flared segments in said band on removal of said closure.
 4. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein some of said bridges are wider than others to insure that the locking band does not separate from the closure skirt during removal of the closure.
 5. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein said bridges are formed of alternating narrow and wide bridges to insure that the locking band does not completely separate from the closure skirt during removal of the closure.
 6. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 1, wherein the shell is formed from a sheet of an aluminum base alloy in an extra hard temper having a metal thickness between 0.008 and 0.0095 inch and wherein said vertical weakening lines in said locking band have a residual thickness of approximately 0.004 inch.
 7. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 6, wherein said bridges include some bridges wider than others to insure that the locking band does not become detached from the skirt on removal of the closure.
 8. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 7, wherein said bridges are formed of alternating narrow and wide bridges.
 9. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 8, wherein the narrow bridges are approximately 0.020 inch in width and the wide bridges are approximately 0.050 inch in width.
 10. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 9, wherein sixteen lances and sixteen bridges are formed in said closure.
 11. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 10, wherein at least four vertical lines of weakening are formed in said locking band, said lines being equally spaced around said band.
 12. A pilferproof closure as defined in claim 11, in which said vertical lines of weakening comprise scores formed on the internal surface of the band. 